These are hands down the most useful websites for travel planning. When ever I book a flight I use skyscanner, whenever I book a hostel I use hostelworld, whenever I book a hotel I use Agoda and Booking. Every now and then I use Couchsurfing and meet the coolest and most interesting of people. When I research how to get from point A to B I use Rome2Rio, and whenever I volunteer I pick something amazing from Workaway. With these websites you can’t go wrong.
Accommodation
Agoda
Agoda has a smaller range than booking.com in most of the world, though it has a better range in some parts of Asia. Agoda’s prices are usually on par with booking.com, though if anything maybe ever the slightest bit cheaper.
Airbnb
Airbnb has everything from homestays to bungalows. In short there many unique places to stay and usually at prices cheaper than hotels. If you signup with this link, you get AUD$55 off your first booking.
Booking
Booking has the largest range over every other accommodation provider, and usually they have good prices. If you are a Genius Member (free) you have access to discounts and perks.
Couchsurfing
Couchsurfing is a community where you can sleep on the couch of other members the world over. This is also one of the best ways to meet locals. Read more about Couchsurfing HERE.
Hostelworld
Hostelworld is the easiest way to find hostels. You have a load of filter options, making it easy to find the perfect hostel.
It pays to check the accommodation providers website before booking as sometime they have cheaper rates for booking directly as you don’t pay a third-party commission.
Flights
Skyscanner
Skyscanner is hands down the best website I have come across for finding and booking the cheapest flights the world over. A really nice function is being able to select “Everywhere” as your destination, giving you a list of the cheapest flights from your selected airport.
Google Flights
Google Flights helps you compare and track airfares on hundreds of airlines to help you find the best flight deals. As of Feb 2018 Google are overhauling the website to make it more streamlined and easier to use.
Momondo
Momondo is another of the best. They have a slightly different interface but overall it still going to find you the cheapest of flights.
It’s always worth checking the airlines website directly as prices are sometimes cheaper.
Transportation
Blablacar
BlaBlaCar is a carpooling service with rides often costing less than half of that of public transportation. You can even choose whether you want someone who talks a little or a lot!
Rome2Rio
Rome2Rio is the best possible tool for telling you how to get from point ‘a’ to point ‘b’. This site really is amazing!
Volunteering
Workaway
Workaway is the world’s leading community for volunteering and cultural exchange. Basically you work for a few hours a day in exchange for food and accommodation and an opportunity to learn about the local lifestyle and community.
Be mindful that some volunteer setups can be extremely unscrupulous and will happily let you pay to “volunteer”. You should only ever pay to cover your costs, nothing more!